New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-22
MUSIC-THE DRAMA.
THE NEW OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

lHE NEW
Those who assembled in the Fifth Avenue Theatre
last night to enjoy the first American representation OF
Gilbert and Sullivan's operotta Ruddigore,"
WERE perhaps, better advised of what to expect than
any audience ever before gathered together for
similar purpose. 1t Is a striking comment on the pre-
vaing condition Of affairs here and in England with
respect theatrical en ranments that this trie IN
the field of musical comedy has occupied a greater
share of the popular mind If newspaper publications
current conversation to be accepted as critic
rions) than any product Of the human intellect Tor
years. Neither Wagner's Parsfal,' nor Verdrs
"Otello nor sardous Theodore Ito keep within
the list of creations signed for the stage caused in
anticipation one 1.-THE OF the excitement created by
Ruddgore" The reason might be had Tor the huht-
ing, but when found convinced it would reflect
ere dit neither on tue creative genius Of playwrghts
and composers the hand, the taste OF the
public the other We therefore accept the fact as
1t presents itself without further comment Yet we
would not be understood as bcittng the products Of
these bapp, mated collaborators They have lone
much to deserve praise and it would be churlish to
envy them the rich reward they enjoying. 1t is
no small matter to furnish such proofs they have
furnished over and over again that comic operas ON
be written in English having all the artistic charms OF
the. best French operas boufes without the in
decency and yugafity OF subject and style which DIS
figure the latter as "a rule. Mr. Gilbert his best
work consistently than the best OF the French
writer's, has served the true ends OF comedy. Hls
operettas from Trial by Jury" TO The Mikado,"
have been amiably amusing in the first instance yet
in them all keen lash which chastised some folly
foibe OF the moment and Sir Arthur II he has not
contributed much directly the corrective element
has done much to deepen and sweeten the smile that
coated the satire. There has been lot OF foolish |
talk about these men wasting their talents in work
not worthy OF Them but shall be very much sur |
prsed before tho close of their careers et us hope
a long while before il they repeut OF A" Ruddisore
and IN their next operetta show works meet for re-
pentance they well the public do not recognize
that the most useful field OF operations that open
to them was that which they have so successfully Gull
tyated in common.
The greater. therefore will be the disappointment
caused by" Ruddigore." tranker recognition OF
such conviction the part OF Sir Arthur than he has
uniformly displayed thought noticeable in the
score OF the new operetta, which bears an unusual
number Of Indications OF careful and conscientious
labor such n good musician would think well APP
piled undertaking which appealed to his artistic
sympathies is this, indeed, that we have NJ
hesitation In saying in general way, thoughtful con
sderariUn of details being obv ously impossible at this
time, that In this opereta the joint authors have
changed places in respect OF the merit OF Their WORK
10 the success OF The Mikado,' we believe that Mr.
Gilbert attributed infinitely more than his c0nirere
The same was true OF Patience" and this we say
while gladly recognizing that beautiful and sympa-
thetic cooperation which gave its own peculiar charm
TO he works mentioned. In " Princess Ida" which
in literary superior to either OF the two
great successes, the Music the cause OF failure
unless willing to make the Illuminating comics
sion that that respectful perverson OF beautiful
poem, in which the keen edge of satire was hidden IN
love was too Intellectual for the appreciation OF the
theatre going public In Ruddigore Sir Arthur ex- |
hibits neat and graceful fancy but ~ against as
couraging toll. The Gilbert of The Mikado Is sell |
dom discenibe In some of the traits OF the comedy
folk he steps forward boldly enough In |
the chorus of professional bridesmaids. for instance,
and especiall = IN Rose with her satisfying |
appreciation of own beauty, her eye ever 10
he main chance and her code OF behavior dawn from
a book of etiquette whose authority is unquestloned
His peculiar topsy turyy logic aso plays s old role IN
determining the momentary action OF his people ana
finally precipitation most unexpected denouemeht.
Here is its best illustration:
occurred To me- Baronet OF Rudydgore can only die
through refusing to commit his daily criLLe.
Kod-No doubt.
Rob-Tnerefore. to refuse to commit daily crime Is
tantamouut Ia suicide!
ROd.-It would seem 50.
Rob-But suicide l., itself. crme-and so. by your
own showing you ought he, er to have died at all
Rod SEE understand Then I'm practically awe
Rob-undoubedy
And the company are ready to pair OF and join in
the musical iiDae. But these slmpses OF our old |
wizard ara but furtiye. Even bis ceverest ngles In
Ruddigore have unfortunate habit OF falling into
the which do little nothing to promote the
action OF the play. The chief disappointment flows
from the fact that the opereta instead OF being an
amlabe satire on something dscovetaoe ia social NE
to-day is only burlesdue Ot the old fashioned stage
mclodrama which needed nothing TO expose its ride
uousness.
We have spared the reader repetition of the story
the opera which ought he familiar after the long
dispatches from London after the first performance at
the Savoy Theatre month ago. mere are a
sufficient number OF cOncets in IL to fill an evening
with pleasure and doubtless the operetta will become
mOio ENJOYABLE than il last night after the actors
become familiar with their work. Its ctuIes
will surely give delight, and the freshness ana meo,
diousness of the majority OF the musical pieces VIII
charm for q long time. Sr Arthur has ROT cut loose
from any his old iormuafes but he has caught In
many cases the flavor of old English airs and such
numbers the madrigal the gavotte and IL country
dance must be r-ckoned among his happiest inspira
TONS He has given pretty travest too OF the con-
yentional madness of Italian opera heroines, which
ought he appreciated the less because we have
lost our love Tor the originals
The audience that the novelty WAS AN exceed
ingly well disposed one II crowded the theatre In
eycry part OF course, and rs Miss Ulmar, Miss
Forster. Mr. Pounds, Mr.. Ihorne Mr.. Ellington and
Mr. ederoi appeared in turn they were made TO feel
that thcy lived In warm and kindly memories IN New
York Few repettons demanded. however, In
the of the evening and though The finale OF the
first twice given Ia finale In Gilbert and Sui
Ivan operetta ending with dance deal OF the a-
plau.e sounded perfunctory. The French would have
called il n success d'estime."
The cast follows:
Mortas
Riohard Dauhess foster brother manc' wars man.
Mr.. Courtce Pounds
Sir Dospard Murgatroyd.Of RuddgOre wicked SSGonet
Old Adam Goodhoart Robins faithful servant MT Leo loss
Rose Mayoud village Miss 1set1iane mar
Hannah Roses MISS Elsie Cameron
T Rmts Professional bridesmaids Miss MaPTay
sir Rupert Murgaroyd the drst baronet Mr. wnteboom
Jasper Murgatroyd the third bsrouet MI Poole
Lionel Murgatroyd the sixth baronet MT Roche
Desmond Murgiroyd the eeuth baonet MT Jefrey
sir Gilbert Mnrgiroyd the eighteenth 6aronet MI Brand
Roder.cK Murgatroyd the twenty first baronet
MR.. MANSFIELD AS PRINCE KARL.